September, 1841. J 87 



unknown ; as the possessors would be always in doubt, whether 

 some one else had not previously described them without publish- 

 ing : and thus the keeping up with the state of any department of 

 natural history would be impossible, as no one could know what 

 was doing in more than one or two societies. In the case of 

 societies holding their meetings with closed doors, the reasoning 

 applies with still greater force, as none but the members of that 

 society could have the chance of any knowledge of the matter. 



There is also another reason for preferring priority of publica- 

 tion ; that many naturalists are working away quietly, exploring 

 sections of country around their places of residence, in remote and 

 unfrequented parts, who have no access to public institutions, and 

 whose only means of knowing what is done must be through the 

 press. 



The great number of synonymes with which natural science is 

 burthened, is in great part owing to the want of a fixed rule in this 

 matter ; and it would seem that priority of publication would lessen 

 the evil, more than the rule of having been first read ; as several des- 

 scriptions might be read within a short time of each other, in 

 different places, by parties in ignorance of what is doing elsewhere ; 

 and then their various names be introduced into the nomenclature ; 

 but when once published, it is every one's business to know what 

 has been described, as the opportunity is offered to every one to 

 ascertain ; and if a description be made in voluntary ignorance, it 

 then could not stand. 



And not among the least of the arguments in favour of priority 

 of publication, is, that of the two parties in the case, the describer, 

 and the public of naturalists who are to read the description, the 

 latter, being an immense majority, would find priority of publication 

 contribute greatly to the interest of science generally, in promoting 

 early publication, and preventing confusion by synonymy ; and to 

 individual convenience, in enabling those who choose, to keep close 

 up with the state of any branch of natural history. Now, as the 

 descriptions would not be written, if there were to be no readers, 

 the latter being so important a party in the matter, may take upon 

 themselves to decide what rule shall obtain in the premises. 



